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#1983451 - 11/06/1202:14 PMRe: Fats Waller - Handful of Keys- performed by an 11 year old
[Re: Grand Piano Haus]

pianoloverus
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Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 19946
Loc: New York City

Fats Waller's music is called stride which is very different from ragtime and much better IMO. The pianist is very good and adds some of his own stuff to the notated version of this piece. The overhead view is very distracting. Perhaps it was intended to showcase the constant left hand jumps in this style of music, but I think nothing justifies the camera angle, and I'd guess most people do not enjoy the overhead view.

I was wondering why this was even posted on the Piano Forum until I saw the box in the lower right corner.

Yes, he's very good. And I don't mind the aerial view; it highlights the drama of the stride movements in the left hand.

Listening to another YouTube posting of Fats playing the same piece, it's evident that this youngster left out the left-hand 10ths which are probably unattainable for him. He'll probably grow into them.

I've played a few of these stride pieces, and even with my big paws, those tenths at speed are a challenge!

Fats Waller's music is called stride which is very different from ragtime and much better IMO. The pianist is very good and adds some of his own stuff to the notated version of this piece. The overhead view is very distracting. Perhaps it was intended to showcase the constant left hand jumps in this style of music, but I think nothing justifies the camera angle, and I'd guess most people do not enjoy the overhead view.

I was wondering why this was even posted on the Piano Forum until I saw the box in the lower right corner.

I wasn't meaning to label the music as ragtime that was being played, I merely meant to say that the left hand is similar to that of some ragtime pieces that I used to play.

I wouldn't say that that one genre was better than the other, it's just one's preference. I can appreciate both without without leaning towards one or the other.

#1984057 - 11/08/1208:41 AMRe: Fats Waller - Handful of Keys- performed by an 11 year old
[Re: Grand Piano Haus]

pianoloverus
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 19946
Loc: New York City

He's very good on Handful of Keys but his Chopin Fantasie Impromptu is not so good. I'd guess he plays mostly non classical at this point. His technique is nowhere near the level of the most of the top classical pianists at that age but he seems to have terrific flair for pieces like the ones in the OP.

I continually find it interesting that a 'good' performance by a gifted child always stimulates so much more interest and conversation than a 'masterful' performance by an old guy with a gut and male pattern baldness...

The video I mentioned does show that this pianist is much better at playing stride than classical. And those familiar with the skill of the the best 11 year olds know that there is a huge gap between between those people and the this performer.

Any child performer is to be complemented and not compared with adult performers. In fact, I’ve participated in various talent contests over the years, both as a child and as an adult… it is almost impossible to compete with a child performer. They have the upper hand every time.

Let’s give credit where credit is due and not be critical of an 11 year old piano prodigy.

Rick

_________________________
Piano enthusiast and amateur musician: "Treat others the way you would like to be treated". Yamaha C7. YouTube Channel

Does he play it just like Waller, No, but is he a gifted musician on the right track, YES. We need to laud and encourage young talent. Let's face it, when it comes to piano or organ, or even accordion, we need all the followers we can muster to keep the arts alive. I would hate to follow him in a concert setting!

_________________________
Marriage is like a card game, you start with two hearts and a diamond, later you wish you had a club and a spade!Yamaha G7 Yamaha CVP75 digital, Allen 3500 theater organ

I continually find it interesting that a 'good' performance by a gifted child always stimulates so much more interest and conversation than a 'masterful' performance by an old guy with a gut and male pattern baldness...

I continually find it interesting that a 'good' performance by a gifted child always stimulates so much more interest and conversation than a 'masterful' performance by an old guy with a gut and male pattern baldness...

What? I guess it's your problem, did you even see Norbert's post?

I didn't say I have a problem. I said I find it INTERESTING. Big difference. If you're going to be confrontational, at least take a moment to think about a valid point before typing.